GOSHEN -- So far, U.S. Rep. Mark Souder, R-3rd, has only one Democratic opponent preparing for the 2010 general election. But now he has two competitors readying for the Republican primary.

Fort Wayne attorney Phil Troyer announced Tuesday that he plans to challenge Souder in the May 4 party primary.

A former staff member for U.S. Sens. Dan Coats and Richard Lugar, Troyer said he's ready to throw his hat into the ring and battle the eight-term incumbent.

"I know it's a very, very difficult challenge," he said. "I know I'm never going to be able to match Congressman Souder on spending. But I do think I have a message that will resonate with voters."

Troyer, 45, said he was content with his work as a general counsel for a Fort Wayne financial services firm, until Souder voted for the more than $700 billion economic rescue plan Congress passed last year.

Then, he dug into Souder's voting record and was shocked to find the Republican's support for what Troyer sees as unnecessary spending.

"He may sound like a fiscal conservative when he's back here in the district," Troyer said. "But he votes like a big-spending liberal when he's in Washington."

Rachel Grubb, a manufacturing supervisor and conservative activist from Auburn, also is seeking the Republican nomination. Former Fort Wayne City Councilman Tom Hayhurst is the only Democrat to declare in the 2010 race.

Though he admits the reason sounds "hokey" and "self-serving," Troyer said he's running for office out of concern for his 9-year-old daughter, Kate. A growing federal deficit, he said, makes him worry that future generations will carry a brutal economic burden.

While the district he hopes to represent heavily relies on jobs connected to the automotive industry, Troyer said he wouldn't have supported federal loans to U.S. automakers, unlike Souder.

"I just don't feel like throwing money at failing companies is the answer," he said. "We need to lower taxes for all businesses and let the strongest survive."

Troyer holds a bachelor's degree from DePauw University and a law degree from Indiana. He previously ran for Congress in 1988 before dropping out to manage a competitor's campaign, and again in 1992, losing in the primary.

An informal campaign committee has been formed, and Troyer has invested $25,000 of personal money into the effort. No campaign staff will be hired and he won't maintain an office, but plans to travel extensively throughout the district.

Most of the funds raised will be spent on advertising and traveling throughout the district, he said.